Kanyemba Dedicates Coach of the Year Award to Family and Team After Emotional Win

Kanyemba, the celebrated head coach of Zambia’s national women’s football team, has dedicated her Coach of the Year (Female) award to her family, technical team, and players after a heartfelt acceptance speech at the 2025 National Sports Awards Gala held last night.

Beaming with gratitude and emotion, Kanyemba opened her remarks by giving “glory, honor, and adoration” to God for her recognition during the 2024 season. She described the journey as a challenging but rewarding one, marked by teamwork, resilience, and sacrifice.

“I want to say thank you very much for being chosen as the Coach of the Year. It has been good all along, and I really give thanks to Him,” she said.

She was quick to acknowledge the collective effort behind her success, paying tribute to her technical bench and the players who played under her leadership. “Without their input and their efforts, it wouldn’t be possible for me to win,” she noted.

In an emotional moment, Kanyemba dedicated the award to her husband for his unwavering support, saying, “It’s not easy coming from home and doing sports as a woman.” She also thanked her parents and siblings for their “endless support.”

However, the most poignant part of her speech came when she paid tribute to her late son, Josh. Holding back tears, she expressed, “I wish I could be able to coach you so that you become a better player, but God knows that you’re playing football in heaven.”

Kanyemba also reflected on her team’s recent achievements, particularly qualifying for the Women’s World Cup after a ten-year absence, a feat she credited entirely to the commitment of her players.

“Getting this award is a testament to the hard work we put in. It has come as an encouragement even to the new crop of players that if they work hard, they too can bring this team to glory,” she said.

The Coach of the Year award not only celebrates her strategic brilliance and leadership but also highlights the strides being made in Zambian women’s football under her guidance.

With her team’s recent success and her own recognition on the national stage, Kanyemba remains an inspiring figure in Zambian sports, paving the way for more women to lead and excel in the world of football.